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[Diastolic dysfunction and its relation to myocardial fibrosis in essential hypertension]

N Sugihara1, A Genda, M Shimizu

  • 1Second Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University.

Insights

Myocardial interstitial fibrosis correlates with diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients. Increased fibrosis and wall thickness are linked to impaired diastolic function, even in mild to moderate hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathology

Context:

  • Systemic hypertension (HT) can lead to diastolic left ventricular dysfunction.
  • The role of myocardial interstitial fibrosis in this dysfunction requires further elucidation.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the correlation between myocardial interstitial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in patients with mild to moderate systemic hypertension.
  • To compare fibrosis levels and diastolic function parameters between normotensive subjects and hypertensive patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Summary:

  • Hypertensive patients, with or without LVH, exhibited significantly greater myocardial fibrosis percentages compared to normotensive controls.
  • Diastolic dysfunction, indicated by prolonged isovolumic relaxation time (IRT) and reduced rapid filling volume (RFV) and its quotients, was observed in hypertensive groups.
  • Multiple regression analysis revealed significant correlations between wall thickness, fibrosis percentages, and diastolic parameters (IRT, RFV, RFV/EDV, RFV/SV).

Impact:

  • Findings suggest that myocardial interstitial fibrosis is a significant correlate of diastolic dysfunction in systemic hypertension.
  • This highlights fibrosis as a potential therapeutic target for managing diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive individuals.
  • The study provides quantitative correlations, aiding in risk stratification and understanding disease progression.

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